Randwick trainer John O’Shea strengthened his hand for the 2010 Melbourne Cup when stable star Jessicabeel won the G1 Sydney Cup (3200m) on Saturday.

Jessicabeel (3f Zabeel – More Diamonds by Straight Strike) led home a Kiwi clean-sweep at Randwick when she defeated Divine Rebel (Don Eduardo), Harris Tweed (Montjeu) and Capecover (Cape Cross).

Bred by Sir Patrick and Lady Hogan, Jessicabeel was a $220,000 purchase for O’Shea at the 2007 NZ Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale.  She is the third winner for lightly raced mare More Diamonds who hails from the family of Hong Kong Horse of the Year Indigenous.

Jessicabeel started favourite for the Sydney Cup after a last-start victory in the G2 Chairman’s Hcp at Randwick.  She is named after Hollywood actress Jessica Biel and is part-owned by long-time stable client Jason Abrahams who also races Zabeel’s G1 Rosehill Guineas winner Zabrasive.

Faint Perfume ($17) heads early markets for the 2010 Melbourne Cup ahead of Linton ($20), Jessicabeel ($21) and Zabrasive ($23).  “It’s every trainer’s dream to win a Melbourne Cup,” O’Shea said.  “To have two live chances is just unbelievable and I can’t wait until the first Tuesday in November.”

Jessicabeel helped Zabeel equal Sir Tristram’s record of 130 individual stakes winners when she won the Chairman’s Hcp.  Zabeel is still active and served 80 mares at Cambridge Stud last year.  The Sydney Cup took him to within four of Sir Tristram’s all-time record of 45 Group 1 winners.